Local News

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in January and 5.3%, as revised, in December, according to the Oregon Employment Department.

In January, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 2,000 jobs, following a gain of 100 jobs, as revised, in December. January’s gains were largest in leisure and hospitality (+1,800 jobs); health care and social assistance (+1,500); and construction (+1,000). Losses were largest in manufacturing (-1,500 jobs) and professional and business services (-1,300).

Leisure and hospitality performed better than the normal seasonal pattern in January and employed 209,800, which was 1,800 jobs, or 0.9%, above its January 2025 total.

Health care and social assistance rose by 4,100 jobs during the three months ending in January. During the 12 months ending in January, it added 9,800 jobs, or 3.2%. Construction’s 1,000-job gain in January was a partial rebound from its 2,400-job loss the prior month. Manufacturing cut 1,500 jobs in January, following a gain of 1,300 in December.

The 1,300-job decline in professional and business services in January left the industry 7,600 jobs, or 2.9%, below its year-ago total.

 

If you have received text messages saying you owe money to the Oregon Department of Transportation or DMV, it’s a scam.

Scammers across the country are sending fake texts about unpaid tolls, license suspensions, and traffic violations. The messages include a link that takes you to a fake website designed to look real to steal your personal and financial information.

According to Oregon DMV Public Information Officer Chris Crabb, “ODOT and DMV will never ask you to pay through a text message, email, phone call, or third-party website."

Scam texts can use alarming words like “urgent notice,” “violation,” or “final enforcement.” They might warn that your license or registration will be suspended or fines will increase if you do not pay immediately.

The public is reminded not to click links or reply to unexpected messages claiming to be from ODOT or DMV, and never provide personal, financial, or vehicle information to unknown texts or websites.

You can report scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) and file a report with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. You do not need to report it to ODOT or DMV. If you’re unsure whether a message is real, contact ODOT at 1-888-Ask-ODOT, or DMV at 503-945-5000. You can find more information about fraud prevention at oregondmv.com.

 

The Board of County Commissioners approved an order regarding requested fee changes from the Planning Department during today's Weekly Business Session.

Following the public hearing that began the meeting at 9 a.m., the board moved in favor of an order transferring county property to Cave Junction. A property line adjustment for the 210 Tacoma property, with an expense of $11,000 to be reimbursed to the Property Reserve Fund, was approved 3-0.

A motion approving a resolution for the County Supplemental Budget for 2025-26 passed unanimously. Changes to the budget were requested by Firewise, Planning, Facilities, and the Human Resources departments, with a Firewise grant extension having been received.

During public comment, the public presented concerns for code enforcement, a West Picket property, and Southern Oregon Sanitations presence at a recent Commissioner meeting.

Other topics included a Pipe Fork purchase request, transparency and appreciation of the board, an offer for budget consultation, accessibility to the Anne G. Basker Auditorium, and ways to spread kindness this Easter Weekend.

The board approved the consent calendar, and the meeting adjourned.

 

Grants Pass Police were forced to temporarily restrain Grants Pass Broadcasting News Director, Alex Bauer, Tuesday morning after he repeatedly read the same news story six times in a row as part of an April Fool's Day prank. Bauer was cuffed and removed from the premises while proclaiming, "You all just don't understand my complex sense of humor." Believe me... We understand, Alex. You just aren't funny! There's no word on when Bauer will be released or return to the station to resume his duties.

 

A recommendation to pause filling positions under the current budget until the end of June with exceptions was proposed by Commissioner Gary Richardson during today's workshop. A motion to have a hiring pause until the budget is finalized at the end of June, with exceptions of any currently approved Personnel Requisitions that have been posted, and exceptions granted by the board for directors who bring in PRs to be filled case by case was approved 3-0. The board moved other decisions on their workshop agenda to next week's Weekly Business Session

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating a runaway juvenile. A report came in Monday that 17-year-old Ethan Knight was last seen around 8 a.m. on March 29th riding a skateboard with black & green swirl wheels on Lincoln Road. He was wearing black pants, a black hoodie, gray shoes, black hat, and was carrying a black cross-chest shoulder bag. Ethan is described as a 5'10" white male with brown hair, brown eyes, and weighing 160 pounds. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ethan is encouraged to call the Sheriff's Office at 541-474-5123.

 

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office attempted to stop a spray-painted black vehicle for a traffic violation on Redwood Highway near Glendon Road today at 1:53am.

The vehicle did not stop, and fled north on Redwood Highway. Spike strips were successfully deployed near Wonder, however the vehicle continued north on Redwood Highway.

The driver side front tire came apart near mile post 10 and the vehicle continued driving on three tires. Spike strips were deployed three more times before the suspect vehicle finally came to a stop near Elmer’s Restaurant on the Grants Pass Parkway.

The driver fled from the vehicle on foot and was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit by deputies and officers from the Grants Pass Police Department. The Oregon State Police also assisted during the incident.

The driver was identified as 34-year-old Anthony Lynn Foster. He was transported and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for both felony and misdemeanor Elude, Reckless Driving, Fentanyl Possession, Felon in Possession of a Weapon, Driving While Suspended, Third Degree Escape, and a Parole Violation.

 

The United States Marshals Service led Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force located and arrested a man wanted for nine local felony child sex abuse charges in White City Monday. The suspect, Jose Francisco Gonzalez-Castaneda, 40, of Medford, had a warrant with nine sexual abuse charges. He was lodged in the Jackson County Jail. Federal authorities added additional charges after Gonzalez-Castaneda was lodged. The arrest came when U.S. Marshals, along with Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Central Point Police Department detectives located Gonzalez-Castaneda at a White City shopping center in the 7500 block of Highway 62. The task force arrested him without incident. The charges stemmed from a years-long investigation by JCSO Special Victims Unit detectives.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man at Resting Site 7 on both a charge and warrants for Methamphetamine Possession Monday.

Officers contacted Mark South at the 712 NE 7th Street site around 11:18 a.m. He was known to be wanted on two Police Department warrants for Unlawful Possession of Meth and Failure to Appear for a Drug Charge, so he was taken into custody.

During his arrest, South was found to be in possession of a container with a white residue inside. His warrants were faxed to the Josephine County Jail, where he was subsequently transported to by officers.

South was lodged on his two warrants and an additional charge of Meth Possession.